So, in all the hubbub yesterday (I didn't eat supper until after 23:00), I completely forgot to post that it was the 5th Anniversary of Michael's Meanderings.
Wow! Where does the time go?
It started simply enough. It was a different blogging platform. It was a different time.
I've matured since then. My blog has grown up and now it has a domain name of its very own.
To help me celebrate, I'd like to ask you, my dear readers, to share with us your favourite Michael's Meanderings moment. Maybe it's an entry. Maybe it's a series of entries. Maybe it's a story about "this one time..."
Then, once you're done sharing your favourite Michael's Meanderings moment, maybe share with us how long you've been reading. And don't be shy, all you lurkers out there - your comments will make my day.
I hope you've enjoyed reading Michael's Meanderings as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
Paging Dr. Wilson?
I'm in Vancouver with Jade. We've come down for her regular visit to BC Kids. There was no EEG this time. Her epileptologist says she's stable and is pleased at how far she's come and how she's developing. We'll do some more tweaking to the diet but she says we won't need to come down again for six months.
Notwithstanding the progress made on the epilepsy front, a new area of concern has emerged. It's normal for kids on the ketogenic diet to get a fatty liver, but Jade's liver enzymes are high even for a kid on the diet. Playing it safe, our epileptologist referred us to a renal gastrointestinal specialist.
The day that we flew into town, Jade and I went straight to the hospital for some bloodwork. The GI specialist had Jade's blood testing for a slew of different things. One of the tests came back abnormal. It was a test for Wilson's Disease. The test alone doesn't mean that Jade has Wilson's Disease - a recessive genetic condition where the body cannot properly process excess copper, so it builds up in the neurological system, eyes, and liver and causes neurological problems (including seizures) and liver problems.
The bad news is that, if Jade has Wilson's Disease, it's something she'll have to live with for her entire life. The good news is that it's treatable and, (I hope) if we treat it properly, maybe it'll get rid of her seizures completely. It could be one of those "bad news" things that's actually a "good news" thing.
But it's a very, very, very remote chance that she has Wilson's Disease. People with the disease usually develop copper rings in their eyes (but you'd need specialized optometry equipment to see them). We had Jade's eyes tested while we were here and she doesn't have those rings. In fact, the optometrist said that her eyes are all-round perfect.
There are a number of other things beyond the DNA marker and the eyes that must be tested for a formal Wilson's Disease diagnosis. The "gold standard" is a liver biopsy. We're not even close to going there yet, though. We still have other - less invasive - tests to do first. Like lots of urine testing.
Just an aside to say that I wonder about these people who have diseases named after them. Do they take it as a compliment or does it pain them to have their name associated with a disease? That their name will be forever associated with something that afflicts people in a negative way.
"Dude! Your nose is running! You might have Meandering Michael's Disease. You should get that checked out."
Notwithstanding the progress made on the epilepsy front, a new area of concern has emerged. It's normal for kids on the ketogenic diet to get a fatty liver, but Jade's liver enzymes are high even for a kid on the diet. Playing it safe, our epileptologist referred us to a renal gastrointestinal specialist.
The day that we flew into town, Jade and I went straight to the hospital for some bloodwork. The GI specialist had Jade's blood testing for a slew of different things. One of the tests came back abnormal. It was a test for Wilson's Disease. The test alone doesn't mean that Jade has Wilson's Disease - a recessive genetic condition where the body cannot properly process excess copper, so it builds up in the neurological system, eyes, and liver and causes neurological problems (including seizures) and liver problems.
The bad news is that, if Jade has Wilson's Disease, it's something she'll have to live with for her entire life. The good news is that it's treatable and, (I hope) if we treat it properly, maybe it'll get rid of her seizures completely. It could be one of those "bad news" things that's actually a "good news" thing.
But it's a very, very, very remote chance that she has Wilson's Disease. People with the disease usually develop copper rings in their eyes (but you'd need specialized optometry equipment to see them). We had Jade's eyes tested while we were here and she doesn't have those rings. In fact, the optometrist said that her eyes are all-round perfect.
There are a number of other things beyond the DNA marker and the eyes that must be tested for a formal Wilson's Disease diagnosis. The "gold standard" is a liver biopsy. We're not even close to going there yet, though. We still have other - less invasive - tests to do first. Like lots of urine testing.
Just an aside to say that I wonder about these people who have diseases named after them. Do they take it as a compliment or does it pain them to have their name associated with a disease? That their name will be forever associated with something that afflicts people in a negative way.
"Dude! Your nose is running! You might have Meandering Michael's Disease. You should get that checked out."
Crazy clouds, caribou, and a cliff...
I spent most of this week in Watson Lake and just got back today. It was a good trip; the weather was great. On Tuesday night, though, a storm system moved through. It made those weird, swirly clouds. I haven't seen this type of cloud for a while. I don't know what causes them or what they're called. Any meteorologists out there?
And if you haven't guessed, today's entry was brought to us by the letter C.
Of course, the pictures don't do the clouds justice.
What do you see in these clouds?
Those funny looking things on the trailers are ore pots for hauling metal from mines.
"Hey! Who's that guy?"
"Dunno. Never seen him before. Doesn't look like he has a gun or anything. He's probably harmless, just like all those people stopped at the Continental Divide a kilometer up the road who have no idea we're here."
"Doesn't look like he's going to do anything interesting. Booooring. Let's move on.
Crud from the cliff on White Mountain.
And if you haven't guessed, today's entry was brought to us by the letter C.
Where Life Takes You - Part 1
It's a funny thing, life. We strike out on a certain path but we never really know where we're going to end up. We never truly know what the consequences of making that left turn in Albuquerque are going to be five or ten years down the road. We go through life, sometimes walking, sometimes running, and sometimes resting, trying to make the best decisions we can about when to go straight and when to turn, and who to walk with. As we proceed to our final destination, as all of us do, we collect experiences and memories and observe the wonders of the world along the way.
As we go, we leave our mark on the trail. If we live our life poorly, we leave the trail in poor shape for those who follow. Sometimes we do this consciously and sometimes we do it unconsciously. Sometimes the things we leave behind are left with the best of intentions - only to trip those who are crossing our track. If we've traveled well, however, we leave things - useful things - behind for other travelers to make their journeys easier. Sometimes the things we leave behind are trail markers, maps, or guides. Sometimes its equipment or food or a soft place to rest. Sometimes it's a story or a riddle to contemplate along the way.
In August of 2008, I crossed another man's trail. He left some things behind that caused me to pause and reflect - and to pause and reflect every time I passed near that trail ever since.
Then, one day, he crossed my trail. Not only did he cross my trail, but he followed the sign I left behind and met me a little further along.
But I'm speaking in riddles. All will be explained in time.
As we go, we leave our mark on the trail. If we live our life poorly, we leave the trail in poor shape for those who follow. Sometimes we do this consciously and sometimes we do it unconsciously. Sometimes the things we leave behind are left with the best of intentions - only to trip those who are crossing our track. If we've traveled well, however, we leave things - useful things - behind for other travelers to make their journeys easier. Sometimes the things we leave behind are trail markers, maps, or guides. Sometimes its equipment or food or a soft place to rest. Sometimes it's a story or a riddle to contemplate along the way.
In August of 2008, I crossed another man's trail. He left some things behind that caused me to pause and reflect - and to pause and reflect every time I passed near that trail ever since.
Then, one day, he crossed my trail. Not only did he cross my trail, but he followed the sign I left behind and met me a little further along.
But I'm speaking in riddles. All will be explained in time.
Facebook status updates that never were...
Facebook is blocked on the Internet connection that I'm currently using. Just for the heck of it, I've decided to keep an inventory of status updates that I might have made had facebook not been blocked.
8:45 - Wow. Who took a shower in their favourite perfume?
8:54 - Wow. Smells like a battle of the scents in here. Different perfume, equally strong. Who will in the war?
1:30 - Redacting. FUN!
1:32 - Still redacting. Still fun!
1:33 - Woah. I think this marker is getting to me.
2:22 - Hee. Hee hee! These markers are powerful!
2:23 - Woah! A Ptero-redactyl!
2:24 - Ouch. Headache.
Doing the History Bee-Boppa-Do-Wap
Twenty years ago, Whitehorse, Yukon hosted the 8th International Congress on Circumpolar Health. It was a big event, with participants from countries that ring the Arctic Circle. It was the end of the Cold War and Russia would be coming, too.
It had to be perfect.
The event's organizers needed a ballroom dance band (none of this foolish contemporary "pop" music for them) and, since there were none in the territory, they looked at bringing a band from "Outside". The cost was astronomical, so they approached a local music teacher and asked him if he would be willing to pull a band together. The Congress was willing to pay for forty charts (all the music needed for sixteen musicians), tuxedos for each player, and a substantial payment for each player in exchange for two nights of ballroom music. The Congress saved a small fortune.
For lack of a better name, the group called themselves "The Big Band"; the most northerly big band in the country.
Within four bars of their first song (Glenn Miller's "In the Mood"), the dance floor was packed.
Twenty years later, The Big Band is still going strong.
This Friday, please join us as we celebrate twenty years of music, fun, and dance.
It had to be perfect.
The event's organizers needed a ballroom dance band (none of this foolish contemporary "pop" music for them) and, since there were none in the territory, they looked at bringing a band from "Outside". The cost was astronomical, so they approached a local music teacher and asked him if he would be willing to pull a band together. The Congress was willing to pay for forty charts (all the music needed for sixteen musicians), tuxedos for each player, and a substantial payment for each player in exchange for two nights of ballroom music. The Congress saved a small fortune.
For lack of a better name, the group called themselves "The Big Band"; the most northerly big band in the country.
Within four bars of their first song (Glenn Miller's "In the Mood"), the dance floor was packed.
Twenty years later, The Big Band is still going strong.
This Friday, please join us as we celebrate twenty years of music, fun, and dance.
The Convincer.
Jade loves books. Hardly a moment goes buy that she doesn't ask someone to read a book to her. She doesn't always get the response she's hoping for. Now I think she's discovering new tactics to get what she wants. Moments ago, she tried taking advantage of my concern for her well-being.
She hasn't quite mastered the technique.
This is how the conversation went...
She hasn't quite mastered the technique.
This is how the conversation went...
Jade: (with pouting face and outstretched arms) Papa, my hands are falling off.
Me: (conerned) Why?
Jade: Because I want to read a book. (Translation: I want you to read me a book.)
Wishbones
We had ducks for our Easter dinner tonight. Yum! After the kids were in bed and we were taking care of the leftovers, Fawn asked me what I wanted to do with the wishbones.
I wanted to keep them, of course.
The wishbones reminded us of something from last Christmas that both of us failed to blog about. I had taken the wishbone out of the goose and let it dry. When it was ready, I grabbed one end of the wishbone and showed Jade how to hold her end. Then, I told her to make a wish and that whoever got the larger piece of wishbone after it broke would get their wish.
We pulled.
My end splintered and Jade won!
Fawn asked Jade what she had wished for.
Proudly holding up her end of the wishbone, she declared, "This!"
I wanted to keep them, of course.
The wishbones reminded us of something from last Christmas that both of us failed to blog about. I had taken the wishbone out of the goose and let it dry. When it was ready, I grabbed one end of the wishbone and showed Jade how to hold her end. Then, I told her to make a wish and that whoever got the larger piece of wishbone after it broke would get their wish.
We pulled.
My end splintered and Jade won!
Fawn asked Jade what she had wished for.
Proudly holding up her end of the wishbone, she declared, "This!"
This is what I listened to in high school...
I remember it clearly. I was a prairie kid from a small elementary school who suddenly found himself thrown into a big city high school. It was grade 8; that most difficult of grades when social status seems to matter more to the student than, well, anything else.
My classmates were discussing who the hottest new musical group was. I had no idea who they were talking about. Someone asked me who I listened to.
I said I listened to the Canadian Brass.
You should have seen the looks on their faces.
After a few minutes of stunned staring later, the teasing began. I didn't care. I mean, how can you not love this?
Decades later, I still enjoy listening to the Canadian Brass. Some of the group's faces have changed but I don't think they've lost one iota of their skill - or their sense of humour.
Case in point:
The Canadian Brass have been making incredible music for forty years now. I wonder how many of my fellow high school students listen to whomever or whatever they were listening to back then?
My classmates were discussing who the hottest new musical group was. I had no idea who they were talking about. Someone asked me who I listened to.
I said I listened to the Canadian Brass.
You should have seen the looks on their faces.
After a few minutes of stunned staring later, the teasing began. I didn't care. I mean, how can you not love this?
Decades later, I still enjoy listening to the Canadian Brass. Some of the group's faces have changed but I don't think they've lost one iota of their skill - or their sense of humour.
Case in point:
The Canadian Brass have been making incredible music for forty years now. I wonder how many of my fellow high school students listen to whomever or whatever they were listening to back then?
A recipe for disaster
1 child (for this recipe, select one that is lighting fast with incredible climbing skills)
1 kitchen table
1 pkg food colouring
Place food colouring on table. Place child in kitchen. Leave unattended for thirty seconds.
For best results, don't stop child before s/he opens the food colouring1.
1Got there just in time. Phew!
AFD Fail.
Sheesh! There are some severe downsides to working out of the home. One of them is that I don't have any co-workers to play April Fools Day pranks on. So I turned to you.
April Fools Day (or AFD, as I like to call it) is probably my second favourite holiday after Hallowe'en. Unfortunately, AFD coincides happens when most of my clients have fiscal year deadlines - which makes this a very busy time of year for me - which leaves very little time for anything, let alone planning April Fools Day pranks.
That's why, this year, I took the quick and easy approach. I posted a blog entry that said I was giving up on blogging.
In hindsight, this was a bad prank for two reasons:
1. It's not very believable (even though I have thought about it). Heck, spaghetti trees are more believable.
2. Some readers might believe it - and never come back. Oops!
I will try harder next year.
April Fools Day (or AFD, as I like to call it) is probably my second favourite holiday after Hallowe'en. Unfortunately, AFD coincides happens when most of my clients have fiscal year deadlines - which makes this a very busy time of year for me - which leaves very little time for anything, let alone planning April Fools Day pranks.
That's why, this year, I took the quick and easy approach. I posted a blog entry that said I was giving up on blogging.
In hindsight, this was a bad prank for two reasons:
1. It's not very believable (even though I have thought about it). Heck, spaghetti trees are more believable.
2. Some readers might believe it - and never come back. Oops!
I will try harder next year.
And that about wraps it up.
I started Michael's Meanderings in the spring of 2005. Has it really been 5 years? It has.
On this, my 973rd blog entry (my 750th since moving to the blogger platform), I have decided that it's time for the blogging phase of my life to come to an end.
Blogging has seen me through some good times, some great times, and some absolutely, awfully, atrocious times. What started off as a way to keep distant friends and family informed about my life has gradually evolved into something else: Not too many of my distant friends and family even read this blog anymore now that facebook has come along. With that said, blogging has given me the opportunity to "meet" cool and interesting people all over the country and all over the world and right within my own city. Blogging has led to some interesting opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Blogging has been good for me and good to me.
But I'm bored.
Oh, so bored.
Blogging was once a joy, but now it has become a chore. And I don't like chores. I want to get out there and have fun! not sit around for hours typing up new entries. I want to spend more time with my family; not be tied to a computer out of a sense of obligation to write something for my readers.
And so, I'd like to end this chapter in my life by saying "thank-you."
Thank-you.
Thank-you for reading. And thank you for commenting. It has been your comments and the things that you've shared on this blog that have really made it worthwhile. While I may have been able to bring a small chuckle (or pang of concern) into your life for the briefest of moments, it's only a small thing. Knowing that you've been out there reading what I've had to say and then coming back for more has meant a lot to me. It's a good feeling to know that someone might be interested in the things I've had to say. I'll carry that with me for the rest of my life.
Meandering Michael out.
On this, my 973rd blog entry (my 750th since moving to the blogger platform), I have decided that it's time for the blogging phase of my life to come to an end.
Blogging has seen me through some good times, some great times, and some absolutely, awfully, atrocious times. What started off as a way to keep distant friends and family informed about my life has gradually evolved into something else: Not too many of my distant friends and family even read this blog anymore now that facebook has come along. With that said, blogging has given me the opportunity to "meet" cool and interesting people all over the country and all over the world and right within my own city. Blogging has led to some interesting opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Blogging has been good for me and good to me.
But I'm bored.
Oh, so bored.
Blogging was once a joy, but now it has become a chore. And I don't like chores. I want to get out there and have fun! not sit around for hours typing up new entries. I want to spend more time with my family; not be tied to a computer out of a sense of obligation to write something for my readers.
And so, I'd like to end this chapter in my life by saying "thank-you."
Thank-you.
Thank-you for reading. And thank you for commenting. It has been your comments and the things that you've shared on this blog that have really made it worthwhile. While I may have been able to bring a small chuckle (or pang of concern) into your life for the briefest of moments, it's only a small thing. Knowing that you've been out there reading what I've had to say and then coming back for more has meant a lot to me. It's a good feeling to know that someone might be interested in the things I've had to say. I'll carry that with me for the rest of my life.
Meandering Michael out.
